Yes I flew on the 'Chateau du Reduit' from LHR to MRU in it's 5th week of operation on the LHR route. The inaugural flight MRU-LHR was on 3rd November 1984 returning to MRU on 4th November 1984. This aircraft replaced the 707 on the LHR route. The flights were originally routed LHR-ORY-NBO-MRU. The interior configuration was changed from the original SA configuration. (Note that the 1984 SA configuration did not correspond to the configuration shown in this video). F class was on the upper deck, 12 first generation sleeperette seats 2 X 2. J class was in the nose and, although the configuration was 2 X 2, unfortunately they chose to squeeze in 7 rows so the seat pitch was not the best at around 36 inches. Y class though was still the old 9-abreast 2 X 4 X 3 configuration in 1984. The aircraft was equipped with the side galley as shown in the video. The aircraft was flown by SA pilots with MK cabin crew.
I remember as a child around the late 80's or early 90's flying to lisbon and the flight stewardess asking me if i'd like to come see the cockpit. A memory i still treasure. SAA in that era were truly the best of the best
The SPs (6 of them) were my 3rd best aircraft to work on from JAN 81 TO DEC 93 (1st being the -400, 2nd best the -200 Super Bs). The -300s namely ZS-SAU & SAT) were terribly cramped
Thank you for uploading your video of Maluti 747SP. The Boeing 747SP is my most favourite airliner. I always think of it as a mini Boeing 747. It’s so great to show an entire walk through of a 747SP. There are a few videos of the Iran Air and Syrian Airlines SP but never with a compete walkthrough like this. Great video!
Absolutely fabulous. Brought back so many wonderful memories. of working for SAA in the 70s. I worked in that galley on many flights. So good. Thank you.
@@CoolCapeTravel This is what made me interested in aviation! I would boast to my school friends about flying on the SP. I am 52 now & still love flying, but when I was reminded of how much leg room we had on the SP I was appalled at todays standards!
@@noodlebike I share your dislike of modern day Y class legroom but would point out that the legroom in Y class on the SP was no different to the amount of legroom on any other Boeing 747 model, which would depend on the airline but the standard seat pitch for scheduled airlines on long haul flights would have been 34 inches in Y class.
I have flown on all of the classic 747 models. I wouldn't say that the SP was any more luxurious than any other 747 model nor was it any faster. You will find that the cruising speed of the 747SP was the same as other 747 models. I also wouldn't call Concorde luxurious in the seating sense. The narrow width of the Concorde resulted in seats closer to Y class seats than F class seats. There would have been several different interior configurations of the aircraft featured in the video over the years. The original delivery configuration would have been 2 class, FY, with 6 rows of F class seats in the nose with a seat pitch of approx 42 inches and a First Class lounge on the upper deck. When SAA introduced business class in the early 80's, the F class seating remained in the nose but was reduced to 4 rows of the first generation sleeperette seats with a seat pitch of approx 62 inches and the upstairs lounge removed. On the SAA SP business class was originally 8-abreast 2 X 4 X 2 the whole length of cabin C. Economy class was in cabins B and D, the seating in cabin B being single aisle 3 X 3 and lacking windows on the starboard side due to the presence of the longitudinal galley. The 10-abreast 3 X 4 X 3 configuration shown in the video is not the original more luxurious 1970's 9-abreast 2 X 4 X 3 configuration. That pull down screen on the upper deck looks ancient like a relic from the 1970's when the in-flight movies were projected. I'm surprised it hasn't been long removed and replaced by more modern video screens.
That was the standard galley location for the SP. There were 4 toilet cubicles in the centre of the aircraft between cabins C and D. You have to think of the SP as a normal 747 with the rear cabin E missing and everything else in it's normal place so the galley complex that would be normally found at the rear of cabin D is at the rear of the aircraft.
Nice video! So cool to see the interiors of these older aircraft. I miss flying back in those days. It was enjoyable.
That aircraft was leased to Air Mauritius between 1984 and 1994 and carried the name "Chateau du Reduit". Flew it in 1985, 1987 and 1992.
Oh that's awesome, thanks for the information:)
Yes I flew on the 'Chateau du Reduit' from LHR to MRU in it's 5th week of operation on the LHR route. The inaugural flight MRU-LHR was on 3rd November 1984 returning to MRU on 4th November 1984. This aircraft replaced the 707 on the LHR route. The flights were originally routed LHR-ORY-NBO-MRU. The interior configuration was changed from the original SA configuration. (Note that the 1984 SA configuration did not correspond to the configuration shown in this video). F class was on the upper deck, 12 first generation sleeperette seats 2 X 2. J class was in the nose and, although the configuration was 2 X 2, unfortunately they chose to squeeze in 7 rows so the seat pitch was not the best at around 36 inches. Y class though was still the old 9-abreast 2 X 4 X 3 configuration in 1984. The aircraft was equipped with the side galley as shown in the video. The aircraft was flown by SA pilots with MK cabin crew.
I remember as a child around the late 80's or early 90's flying to lisbon and the flight stewardess asking me if i'd like to come see the cockpit. A memory i still treasure. SAA in that era were truly the best of the best
No more cockpit access for anyone!
Margaret is AWESOME!! so is the rest of the SAAMS museum staff.... I love visiting Maluti when I'm in town from the States!
It's an incredible museum 😍
A beautiful time capsule. Nostalgic. Thank you ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video…Margaret is wonderful
The SPs (6 of them) were my 3rd best aircraft to work on from JAN 81 TO DEC 93 (1st being the -400, 2nd best the -200 Super Bs). The -300s namely ZS-SAU & SAT) were terribly
cramped
Thank you for uploading your video of Maluti 747SP. The Boeing 747SP is my most favourite airliner. I always think of it as a mini Boeing 747. It’s so great to show an entire walk through of a 747SP. There are a few videos of the Iran Air and Syrian Airlines SP but never with a compete walkthrough like this. Great video!
That's awesome. Glad you enjoyed it. Its a super cool aircraft!
Absolutely fabulous. Brought back so many wonderful memories. of working for SAA in the 70s. I worked in that galley on many flights. So good. Thank you.
Aaah glad you enjoyed it! It's a magnificent aircraft isn't it. I never got to fly on ir though.
Qantas 747SP Sydney to Wellington early '80's. I remember sitting at the bar and having a beer and a cigarette looking out at the clouds below.
How very glamorous!! #jealous
Awesome tour, thank you-so glad the aircraft is still with us :-)
Me too!
When I first started working for Pan Am in 1986 I flew on many 747 planes ✈️ and the 747SP
Wow that's incredible, so jealous :))
@@CoolCapeTravel It was a great career I miss flying
I love watching this video I truly miss flying on the 747 SP so many great memories in that plane ✈️
This was an awesome find! YT recommended and so happy it did! Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Always wanted to see the straight staircase. Thankyou
Travel will never have that classic feel ever again
Timeless
It is a fine machine:)
I have flown on this SP & others from SA to UK as a kid. Loved it as a 7 year old. Very special aircraft.
Also, on more than one occasion, the pilots would have my sister & I sit with them on the flight deck!
Wow! Those were indeed different times ! Jealous!!!
@@CoolCapeTravel This is what made me interested in aviation! I would boast to my school friends about flying on the SP. I am 52 now & still love flying, but when I was reminded of how much leg room we had on the SP I was appalled at todays standards!
@@noodlebike I share your dislike of modern day Y class legroom but would point out that the legroom in Y class on the SP was no different to the amount of legroom on any other Boeing 747 model, which would depend on the airline but the standard seat pitch for scheduled airlines on long haul flights would have been 34 inches in Y class.
Maluti is my favorite, I loved this plane so much that I took my matric farewell photos in and round her. Even the GPU was connected for the event
O wow that's awesome. To see it all lit up!
It most definitely was a breathtaking experience.
Great video👍, love these aircraft from the past
That SP was like the Porsche of the 747 fleet 😁
1 minor correction SAA had six (not 5) Special Performance Jumbo's.
Sweet thanks!
THIS IS AMAZING THEN 747 IS ONE OF THE MOST AWESOME AIRCRAFT EVER MADE! IT GREAVES ME THAT THEY QUIT MAKING THEM!
Yes it is indeed 😒
I'm looking forward to visiting Maluti in jan 2025
I have flown on all of the classic 747 models. I wouldn't say that the SP was any more luxurious than any other 747 model nor was it any faster. You will find that the cruising speed of the 747SP was the same as other 747 models. I also wouldn't call Concorde luxurious in the seating sense. The narrow width of the Concorde resulted in seats closer to Y class seats than F class seats.
There would have been several different interior configurations of the aircraft featured in the video over the years. The original delivery configuration would have been 2 class, FY, with 6 rows of F class seats in the nose with a seat pitch of approx 42 inches and a First Class lounge on the upper deck. When SAA introduced business class in the early 80's, the F class seating remained in the nose but was reduced to 4 rows of the first generation sleeperette seats with a seat pitch of approx 62 inches and the upstairs lounge removed. On the SAA SP business class was originally 8-abreast 2 X 4 X 2 the whole length of cabin C. Economy class was in cabins B and D, the seating in cabin B being single aisle 3 X 3 and lacking windows on the starboard side due to the presence of the longitudinal galley. The 10-abreast 3 X 4 X 3 configuration shown in the video is not the original more luxurious 1970's 9-abreast 2 X 4 X 3 configuration.
That pull down screen on the upper deck looks ancient like a relic from the 1970's when the in-flight movies were projected. I'm surprised it hasn't been long removed and replaced by more modern video screens.
First passenger 747 I've seen with a galley at the rear bulkhead instead of 4-6 toilet cubicles. Was this a thing on all SPs or just SAA?
This is the only SP I have been on, so I have no idea. It felt super luxurious!
That was the standard galley location for the SP. There were 4 toilet cubicles in the centre of the aircraft between cabins C and D. You have to think of the SP as a normal 747 with the rear cabin E missing and everything else in it's normal place so the galley complex that would be normally found at the rear of cabin D is at the rear of the aircraft.
@@Ben-xe8ps Ah, that makes a lot more sense!
What were all the names of SAA's 747's?
Lebombo, Drakensberg, Tafelberg, Soutpansberg, Magaliesberg, Johannesburg, Durban, CapeTown.......
@@CoolCapeTravel Awesome! Thank you!
@@CoolCapeTravel What about the Helderberg which crashed into the ocean?
I just did some math. She takes +-190 000 Liters, so about 7600 25L jerry cans. I'll go past Midas to get batteries...let's go take her for a spin :)
Sign me up! I wonder if it can do a handbrake turn 🤔
I'd rather fly on this.
Yup. Me too.